The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-16

How the Governments Is Administration
the Pirates Were Exterminated.


How the Government Is Administrations
the Pirates Were Exterminated.
Henry a. Field. in Philadelphia Times.
knowing what inflammabe material the
French government had to deal with in Algiers.
L was curious to observe how it guards against
this ever-present danger and turns those who
had taken part in bloody instructions into loyal
rid. the French ambassador, who had himself
had an experience of Africa as Resident at Tunis
told me that he had always taken the greatest
care to respect the customs of the native inhabli-
ants and above all, their religious observances.
he did not allow European to put his foot
in a mosque. The French government even
goes 30 far as to support those who officiate In
the mosques, on the principle of not only
toieratng but supporting all forms of religious
worship, maintaining Protestant pastors and
Jewish rabbis, as well as Catholic priests. When
left Madrid the ambassador gave letter
to the Governor OF Algeria, on whom / called to
pay my respects. For long time after the
French took possession of the country it had
been the custom to choose soldier for Govern
or, with the idea that be might have military
duties TO perform The place has been held by
Marshal Mcmahon and by the Duke d'Aumale.
and expected 20 Marshal of France in the
Governors palace. or. at least, officer OF high
rank, and was little surprised when in troduced
into his private cabinet to fird him very quiet
gentema an. absorbed in the details of his exten-
sive and difficult administration. But he
extremely courteous. ana gave hearty
welcome to the country, Offering me any service
in his power to render my visit pleasant one.
had no service to ask but glad of the
opportunity of seeing the man who holds the
highest position in Africa with far more real
power than the Khedive of Egypt The country
over which he rules is nearly as large as France.
and even though half of it desert yet the
half which is not desert, and parts of which
extremely fertile, would make a number of
French provinces It contains population of
three and a half millions, to govern which is far
more difficult than to govern equal number in
France itself, where there is homogeneous
population. NJ Tirman has been Governor for
six years and has thus mad opportunity to be-
come well acquainted with the country and the
people. He does not conceal from himself
from others the difficulties of French rule in At
RIGA. But in the caution with which he spoke
the clearness with which he stated the Difficult
ties. and the means by viii CHI they to be
met, he seemed to me to DO admirably suited to
a position of such vast responsibility.
AS the danger to the French ruie lies in the
division of the people into tribes, each with its
own head, forming an imperium in imperio. it is
the policy of the govern meut reduce the power
of the sheiks. not by putting them down. but by
raising others up. and thus dividing the power
which before had been held in single hands
This is really a step towards democracy and so
far as it neutralizes the power of the native
chiefs it removes one great danger to the French
government in Africa
To dsarm still further the hostility of the ma
tive population a large number of the most ath-
letlc young men in the tribes are enlisted in diff
ferenc corps of the army. Many of these are of
splendid physique, as one may see by observing
those drafted into the various regiments of the
line; while the Arabs, who from boyhood
customed to ride in the desert. make excellent
cavalry.
of natives to arms would be in itself new dau-
ger we're not the greatest precautions taken that
the skill and power thus attained should not be
turned on the wrong side. To this end the mil
itary force is mixed. There are purely native
regiments In what called one-third of
the soldiers are always French and two thirds of
rank of captain. With this judiclous com
mingling of the material of the army and keep
ing al. the arsenals in the hands of the French,
together with the strong for.resses in the mount
aims, the danger of insurrecrion, il not entirely
removed, is very greatly reduced.
In Algiers we have opportunity to all
these French and native regiments. One hears
the bugle in the streets almost much as in
Paris. and as we stop to LOOK at the Zouaves or
Turcos marching past. or the mounted Spahis
and Chasseurs d'Afrique. cannot but admire
these very picturesque and very efficient portions
of the French African army.
But no government Is strong that relies on
mere brute force. | was glad to see, in convers-
ing with the Governor of Algeria las afterwards
with the Project of Constantine and the Resi-
dent of Tunsl, that the French policy had
higher aim than to make out of the native popu-
lation soldiers or slaves. 1t aims, by respecting
their native customs, social and religious ss.sT
above all, by treating them with absolute justice
to concilate their good will and to make them
recognize the advantage tc themselves of a gov
eminent under which they free, and which
yet Is strong enough 20 give them perfect pro-
lection.
So long as France administers such a govern
ment the world owes her debt of gratitude for
taking possession of Algeria. Until then it was
the plague-spot of the Eastern hemisphere
One afternoon, in company with the consul l
climbed the hill on the summit of which stands
the Kasbah. the old Moorish citadel. very
picturesque old castle It is, com manding wide
outlook over land and sea- Yet it was the great
est den of robbers in the world, as it was the
stronghold of the Barbary pirates who, from
this headland height, kept sharp lookout north,
east and west for any sail that might show it
self on the horizon For three hundred years
they preyed the commerce of all nations.
Not only did they rob ships of their burdens. but
the unhappy crews held as slaves. Ali the
old palaces of Algers, among which are those of
the Governor and archbishop. filed with the
most elaborate carving in wood and stone. mir
acles of labor, which must have required the
toll of years: but the pleasure of looking at them
is rarred by being told that they were all the
work Of Christian slavesi
The horrors endured by these wretched sspris-
oners and captives" is one of the most harrow
ing tales of cruelty in modern times Yet to |
the shame and disgrace of European powers |
this relic of barbarism continued even into the |
nineteenth century. The first power to refuse |
to pay tribute, our honor be it said, was the |
United States. which, in 1875 sent Commodore
that from that time forth should pay tribute |
no more. The Dey. seeing that the American |
captain was in earnest and fearing the effect of |
such an example, tried to compromise and mod |
estly suggested that he would accept even a |
little powder just keep up appearances to |
which the gallant Commodore replied that eff |
ne took the powder he must take the balls, too"
Whereupon he proceeded to pay tribute in both |
kinds. This spirited attack had a very subdu-
ng effect on the pretensions of the proud corsair
which was further reduced by the attack of the |
English fleet under Lord Exmouth, the following
year.
But the work was not done thoroughly till |
$50, when the French landed an army and, took |
he town and the country, and have held them
sver since. For thus cleaning out" this den of
,rgands France deserves the thanks of all |
Pirates may be very .'pictur-
sque" and interesting" but when 1t comes to
lifting a country for the habitation of man there
5 nothing like good strong army. The French
.rmy in Algiers is the vanguard of civilization
n Africa
Effect of Rain Business.
'ittsburg Dispatch.
ibid it ever occur to you how heavy rain
&C., |